Pre-handover inspection in Makkah: before summer & rain season
In short: In Makkah (Makkah), pre-handover inspection (before summer & rain season) begins with the asset survey and first inspection and the periodic instrument leak checks; nothing is opened until the position is clear. The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data). Published price: Inspection visit, SAR 150 per visit; anything else is quoted after the inspection.
Pre-handover inspection in Makkah: the local context
Team note on Makkah: Kashf teams serve this city and its nearby districts with the same documented inspection standard: device-based leak detection without demolition, a written report, and a clear scope before any work begins.. The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).
The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level, a fact drawn from SRTM open elevation data, and that height shapes where a pre-handover inspection should begin. Because the city is set inland at this elevation, the first checks focus on what the hot, dry months and the occasional rain season do to a property. Inspectors start with the roof and the rainwater drainage, confirming that outlets are clear and that water runs away from the building rather than pooling against walls. They then look at external seals, window frames and door thresholds, since these are the points where sudden downpours and blowing dust most often find a way in. Starting outside and working inward makes it easier to spot problems that would otherwise appear only after the first season of use.
Several things cannot be settled by a checklist alone and are left to the site visit. A technician needs to see the actual condition of plaster, paint and tiling, check for hairline cracks that widen with heat, and judge whether a patch of damp is recent or old. Electrical circuits, water pressure, and the working order of air-conditioning units are also tested in person, because a written record cannot show how they behave under load. The technician will also decide whether any surface needs repair or full restoration. For reference, a maintenance visit typically falls within SAR 160–420 per visit, while restoration is priced at SAR 55–160 per m², so the scope agreed on site determines which of these applies and what the final cost will be.
To help the technician arrive prepared, the homeowner or agent should gather the handover paperwork, any previous repair invoices, and a note of problems already reported, such as leaks after rain or rooms that stay hot. Access arrangements matter: confirm who holds the keys, whether the roof hatch is reachable, and when the property will be empty enough to test every room. Photographs taken after the last rainfall are especially useful, as they show where water has really gone. Sharing the date the property will be occupied lets the technician prioritise anything that must be fixed before summer or the rain season begins.
Checks before summer and before the rain season catch problems while they are still small.
Signs that call for pre-handover inspection
The following signs are worth checking before they grow:
- Taking over a new unit
- Buying a used property
Where the problem usually comes from
- Hidden workmanship defects.
- A silent leak.
Tools we use in Makkah
| Tool | What it finds | When we use it in Makkah |
|---|---|---|
| Periodic instrument leak checks | Silent losses in the networks | Limits: periodic, per contract |
| Asset survey and first inspection | The condition of networks, insulation, roofs and AC | Limits: the basis of the plan, not a substitute for it |
| Periodic reports with a verification code | What was done, what is proposed and the spare parts | Limits: depends on recording every visit |
The steps in order
- Network checks: Water and drainage are tested.
- Insulation and roofs: Roofs, wet areas and tanks are inspected.
- Report: Findings in writing before you sign.
Makkah in facts and sources
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| District profile | The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data) | SRTM (NASA) open data |
| District profile | Team note on Makkah: Kashf teams serve this city and its nearby districts with the same documented inspection standard: device-based leak detection without demolition, a written report, and a clear scope before any work begins. | Kashf team |
| Inspection visit | SAR 150 per visit | Owner price list (Makkah) |
Questions from Makkah
What does finishing work typically include?
It covers plastering, painting, flooring, stone or marble walls, ceilings, gypsum, doors, windows, and final electrical and plumbing installations. You can request full or partial finishing, with the scope clearly defined in the price quote.
Is it possible to renovate the building without evacuating the residents?
In many cases it can be carried out in phases without a full evacuation if the damage is limited. However, for extensive structural renovation, a temporary evacuation may be recommended to ensure safety, and the contractor will explain this in their proposal.
Does waterproofing require removing existing tiles?
It depends on the site condition. Sometimes surface waterproofing can be applied over tiles, while deep leaks require tile removal to treat the layer underneath. A technician will determine the best option after inspection.
What is the first step of pre-handover inspection (before summer & rain season)?
We start with network checks (water and drainage are tested), then insulation and roofs (roofs, wet areas and tanks are inspected).
How much does pre-handover inspection cost in Makkah?
From our published price list: Inspection visit SAR 150 per visit. Quantities are confirmed at the inspection.
What do I get at the end?
A findings report before handover, in a technical report that carries a verification code.
What we advise against
- Signing before the inspection
What you receive
The written output: a findings report before handover. The report is numbered and can be checked with its verification code.
Planning the visit in Makkah
- The Saudi weekend is Friday and Saturday; mention your preferred day and time when booking.
- You can message us on WhatsApp in English; the booking details are sent back to you in the chat to confirm before the visit.
- Keep photos of the problem and of any earlier repairs — they help the technician compare before and after.
- If you rent, tell your landlord or building management before the visit and agree in writing who pays; the written report can be shared with them.
Sources and method
- SRTM (NASA) open data
- Kashf team
- Customer questions (reviewed)
- Owner price list for Makkah
- Local pages are published only after a quality gate: real local facts, text similarity of no more than 15% with any other English page, and a claims check.
- النسخة العربية